Wrapping machine



Feb. 24, 1959 P. cRAvlTs 2,874,527

` WRAPEING MACHINE:

Peb.24, 1959 Filed Dec. 24. 1951 P. CRAVITS WRAPPING MACHINE Illl-lllillllllfll\ *W 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N VEA/TOR. PH/LL/P CRA v/TS BY HAS ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 24, 1959 P. cRAvlTs 2,874,527

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 24, 1951 s sheets-sheet s /Nva/vrol?. PH/LL/P CRnv/ns BY His ATTORNEYS.

Hnmalscl-l, Fos rek aHA/PR/s @Y United States Patent O WRAPPING MACHINE Phillip lCravits, Burbank, Calif. Application December 24, 1951, Serial No. 263,032

11 Claims. (Cl. 53-378) particular utility when employed for applying flexible, 'i

plastic wrappers to rectangular boxes, for example, for enclosing cardboard `boxes in a protective wrapper or enclosure of a transparent, foldable, fusible, cellulose material such as that sold under the trade name Cellophane, and in the following specification the machine is described in this connection, by way of example.

Inthe packaging art it is common to enclose boxes and like containers in transparent wrappers so as` to effectively protect theboxes to minimize damage thereto and soiling thereof, in some instances the wrapper providing a moisture impervious seal for protecting the contents of the boxes. Such Wrappers are usually applied to the boxes in wrapping machines which are 'specially designed for the purpose. Conventional wrapping machines usually involve quite complicated mechanisms for feeding the boxes and for cutting the wrapper material tothe required size, folding thematerial against the boxes and sealing the material. Such machines commonly employ movable tuclting and folding elements and since it is dcult to design such machines to provide adjustability so as to accommodate packages of diiferent sizes, 4it is customary to construct machines which are capable of wrapping only a box of predetermined height. For this reason, it is not unusual to employ a large munber of wrapping machines, each adapted to operateonrboxes of a particular size, in a plant where packages of various sizes are produced and filled for shipment. While it is within the realm of possibility to so construct such machines to provide adjustability and thusv make it possible to wrap boxes of various sizes, within limits, in a single machine, the cost of producing such machines has heretofore been considered prohibitive and consequently the packaging methods and machines discussed above have. been tolerated.

It is an important object of the present invention to obviate the delciencies of previous `wrapping machines by providing a machine of this character which is particularly adapted to apply wrappers to rectangular boxes or like containers of4 various sizes, within prescribed limits, the improved machine being so constructed that a single, relatively simple adjustment prepares the machine for operating upon boxes of a selected size. In this respect, the highlyA advantageous resultis attained b`y providing a machinewh'ich embodies a Vseries of tucking and folding elements, each of which is so formed and arranged as to tuck or fold a different flap of the wrapper upon relative movement between the package and the particular elements involved, an important object of the invention being to provide a machine in which the various` 2,874,527 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 ice.

tuckng and folding elements remain stationary, with respect to the package being wrapped, so as to greatly simplify the machine, and this is another object of the invention.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type indicated in which the package to be wrapped is fed along a support or bed relative to the stationary folding means to effect folding of the aps at the opposite ends of the'wrapper. In the present machine, the package, together with its encircling wrapper, is disposed with its length extending transversely of the support and with the aps of the wrapper to be .folded disposed at opposite longitudinal sides of the support, the package and its wrapper being moved in this position successively to the various folding means, and this is` another object of the invention.

Another object is to provide a machine, of the class referred to, in which the longitudinal support is made in two transversely spaced parts, each part being in the form of a rail upon which an end of the package rests and along Whichthe package is advanced to the successive folding 'elements. A further important object lin this respect is to provide means for adjusting the'rails toward and away from each other in accordance with vthe length of the box or other package to be wrapped, the adjusting means consisting simply of manually rotatable screws engaging the rails and operative to spread the rails apart or draw them closer together, depending upon the direction of rotation of the screws.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type specified in which the means for folding the projecting ends of the wrapper comprises a pair of primary tucker elements which function to tuck the rearward vertical portion of the wrapper laterally inwardly against the ends of the package, a pair of secondary tucker elements which are operative to tuck the forward vertical portions of the projecting wrapper ends laterally inwardly against the ends of the package, a pair of primary folder elements which are adapted to fold the upper horizontal portions of the projecting wrapper ends downwardly in overlying relation to the previously tucked portions, and a pair of secondary folder means which effect upward folding of the lower horizontal portions of the projecting wrapper ends in overlying relation to the aforesaid tucked and folded portions, the machine further including heater elements operative to seal the overlying end portions to effect a moisture impervious protective covering.A

In accordance withthe present invention, the primary tucker means comprises a pair of transversely spaced slide elements, which are reciprocable along the support rails as a unit, suitable motor operated means being provided for effecting reciprocation of the same, this being a feature of the invention. A related object is to provide primary tucker means in which each tucker element has a plurality of forwardly projecting fingers, the lingers of the elements being spaced apart a distance equal substantially to the length of the package being wrapped so that when the package is slid into position between the fingers, the rearward vertical portions of the projecting wrapper ends are automatically tucked against the ends of the package. The primary tucker elements have rearward pusher portions which serve to push the package forwardly to the secondary tucker elements.

The secondary tucker elements consist -of a plurality of vertically spaced, stationary bars extending longitudinally along the sides of the support, the ends of the bars directed opposite to Vthe path of yfeeding movement of the package being rounded and adapted to engage and tuck the forward portions -of the wrapper ends inwardly against the ends of the package, the remaining lengths ofthe bars serving to retain both tucked portions of the wrapper against the package which Vis advanced Vby Athe primary tucker means to a point adjacent said secondary tucker elements, the form of the secondary tucker ele- "ments also`being affeatu're and .objecttof this invention.

ldirectionfoffeed oflthe package, the upperfhorizontal Aportions-or flaps of'th'e wrapper ends being adapted` to "engageroneor another of these inclined'edges andzto Vbe `foldedfdownwardly thereby during forwardmotion of the package along lth'e support. As `an important feature, the rearward uppertends of theinclinedifolder edges of ltheuppermostb'ars are disposed at a considerable height fabove1the support while theforward lower ends of the folder edges are-located'atthe approximate level ofthe (top of '-the support. By this provision, packages having `Wideranges of heights 'can be operated upon, the maximum height being limited only by the `distance of the upper end of the uppermost .bar above the-support.

Another object is to provide secondary folding lrneans which is simple in construction andpositive in action. 'Thefsecondary foldingv means consists of a pair of transversely spaced, pivoted,.platelike elements each having an edge which kslopes upwardly and forwardly in the direction of travel of the package, the lower end of the inclined edge being normally disposed at a level which ispreferably slightly below the level of the top of the support so that as the package advances, the lower flaps of the wrapper ends engage andare folded upwardly vagainstthe previously folded upper `aps thereof. An-

other object in this respect is to provide means for heat sealirrglthe several' flaps or folds of the Wrapper ends, this means consisting in heater plates across which the folded ends of the wrapper travel to cause the aps thereof to be fused together.

It is an additional object and feature of this invention to provide auxiliary folder means for folding the upper andlower aps of the wrapper ends against the bottom of the package, this means consisting in a pair of lbottom fold slots in the upper surface of the support, these slots extending inwardly and forwardly from points adjacent the bottom-portions of the inclined edges of the pivoted secondary folder elements. By this provision, when the secondary folder elements are pivoted to a position in which their inclined edges are. disposed out of thepath of travel of the bottom'aps and are thus rendered inoperative, the bottom flaps are deflecteddownwardly by the primary folding means into the bottom fold slots and the lower ends of the foldedl upper aps are also caused to enter these sl-ots. During the forward movement of ythe package the upper and lower flaps are simultaneously folded under the ends of the package bythe forward edges of the bottom fold slots. This is animportant feature ofthe invention since itprovides means by which sealing of the upper and l'ower flaps can occur at the bottom of the package and this is highly desirable when wrapping, for'example, ornamental candy boxes and like containers in which the edges of the top and bottom project outwardly beyond the intermediate main box p0rtion and thus make it impractical to heat seal the Wrapper against the ends of the box.

:It is a Yfurther object toprovide means for positively feeding the boxes successively to the tucking and folding means. As indicated in the foregoing, the primary tucker means also serves as a primary feeding means for advancing each package to the secondary Atucker means. The inventionk provides additional or secondary package advancing means operativeto feed the package throughthe remainder of its necessary travel. The pri- 4mary and secondary feeding means are reciprocatedy in "-ftimed sequence so Vthat during the' feeding Vof a package from its initial loadingvposition to the secondary tucker means, another package, which was previously so fed by the primary feeding means, is advanced by the secondary feeding means to complete its travel through the machine. In the present improved machine the feeding means engages only the rearward side of the package to push the same forwardly so that damage Vto or displacement of the partly applied wrapper is entirely avoided, and this is another object of the invention.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description and from the drawings, which are intended for the purpose `of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the improved wrapping machine, the components of the machine being shown at the start of a wrapping operation;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. Sais a fragmentary plan View of the tucking and folding elements;

-flaps of a wrapper. are tucked and folded;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. i l0 isza,perspective view of a wrapped container, ythexends of the wrapper material lhaving been folded 'against the ends ofthe container; and

Fig. 1l is a'perspective view of a wrapped container, illustrating the mannerin which the top and bottom flaps of the wrapper. endsmay .be folded under the bottom of the container toprovide a bottom fold.

-Referring to the ,drawings in detail, the present improved wrapping machine is Aintended for use in applying a1sheet15rofexible.wrapping material to thev exterior of aucardboard ,box or .similarcontainer 16 into which various articles may be...placed'for storage or shipment. As is customary in.the,pack-aging art, the sheet of .wrapping material is .cut slightly wider than the girth of the z box t-o .be wrapped sozthat they side edges of the sheet .overlap to a slight `extent,.these edges being suitably secured togetheror. tothe bottom surface of the box. The ends of. .theWrapper project beyond the ends of the box,'the side, topand bottomportions Vof the wrapper .ends lbeing usually folded in the manner shown in Fig. l0

to provide=overlapping rearwardand forward flaps 17 andv 18 respectivelya..top flap 19 and a bottom ap 20. The .various apsare. folded againstthe ends of the box inthe ordernamedand.securedin `this relationship by a suitable adhesive material, agummed tapeor, when the wrapper` material is ofafusible nature, by heat sealing theilaps. zThe present.invention..is.concerned primarily ,with meansfor. foldingthezilaps of thewrapper against the box or othencontainerand not to the means for securingthe flaps in their foldedconditiom-which may be of any type capable of actingautomatically on the flaps prior to discharge of the wrapped packages from thefrnachine.

.Referring to Figs. ,1, 2*. and. 3 of thedrawings, the present machiney includes a rectangularystandard ,or frame 25 whichhas annpper horizontalbarl composed of a ,pair of vertically spacedsangle irons. 2'l and 28. .The `upper edgefof the :lower angle iron,28. provides a longitudinally extending track 29. l

A second frame 30, similar tothe frame, 25, is dis posed alongside the latter in ,spaced relation Vthereto (Fig. `2) and has an angle iron 31 at its .upper end. Secured to the angle irons 31 and`27 at.one end and extending transversely thereof isa stationary tube 32. Adapted tothe first support rail, which has anl upper Wall'36. The

slidable tube 33 is similarly joined to the side Walls 37 of a second longitudinally extending support rail 38 having a top wall 39, the tube 33 having a fiange 40 at one end abutting the outer wall 37 of the rail 38. Attached to -theother end of thetube 33 is the flange 43 of a sleeve 44 which is disposed within the tube 33. The sleeve 44 has `an internally threaded plug 45 at its inner end and screwed into the plug is an ladjusting screw 46 which projects through the ange40 and carries a handwheel 47. Adjacent the opposite end` of the machine the rail 35 is connected to a fixed tube which is similar to the tube 32, and the rail 38 is carried by a tube which is similar to the tube 33 andwhich is slidable in the fixed tube, the outer flange 48 of the` slidable tube being indicated in Fig. 1.

' It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the -handwheel 47 and screw 46 are rotated, the support rail .'38 is moved'transversely toward or away'from the stationary rail 35, depending upon the direction ofirotation of zthe screw, so as to adjust the support rails relatively Vtoward or away from each other for a purpose to be later explained.

Each support rail 35 and 38 carries a sheet metal guide element 50 which is Substantially channel-shaped in cross section, each element having inwardly directed flanges 51 -defining a guideway or track therebetween in which a roller 52 is adapted to roll." The rollers 52 are rotatable on vertical axes on bars 53 which extend between 'a pair of tubular members 54. Each member 54 carries 'a flanged roller 55 which is disposed within the space between the yangle irons 27 and 28 and rollable along the track 29. The members 54, bars 53, rollers 52 and 55 together constitute a carriage which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 56.

The carriage 56 is adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally along the machine by the driving vmeans shown at 60 in Fig. l. The driving means includes an electric motor 61 which drives a 4speed reduction mechanism 62 throughthe medium of belts 63. The mechanism 62 includes `a rotary crank arm 64 which is connected to oscillate anVV operating arrn'65 by means of a link 66, the arm 65 being pivoted at its lower end as indicated at 67. The upper end ofthe operating arm 65 is pivotally connected to an axial extension 68 of one of the members 54 by means of la link 69`so that during oscillation of the arm 65, the carriage 56 is reciprocated longitudinally along the rails 35 and 38.

Adapted to reciprocate with the carriage 56 is aprimary tucker means 69' which includes a pair of primary tucker elements 70and 71. The elements 70 and 71 have angular slide portions 72 adapted to slide along the respective support rails 35 and 38, each slide portion having a longitudinally extending leg 73. The forward ends of the legs 73 are connected to upright bars 74 ex- `tending upwardly from the bars 53 of the carriage 56 so that upon reciprocation of the carriage, the primary tucker elements 70 and 71 are also reciprocated throughout a portion of the length of the machine. Each element 70 and 71 Ihas. a vertical post 75 which carries a plurality'of vertically spaced, angular plates 76 each having a forwardly directed finger 77, and is provided with transversely extending edge 78. The edges 78 and fingers 77 of the elements 70 and 71 define between them a recess for receiving the box `16 and the wrapper material 15` which initially encircles the'box with its longitudinal edges suitably joined together and with the ends of the Wrapper material projecting beyond the ends of the box. Assuming that the primary tucker elements 70 Aand 71 are disposed at the left-hand or loading end 80 of the machine as shown `in Fig. l, the operator places the box 16, together with the encircling wrapper material `15, in themachine with the opposite ends of the box Lrestingrupon the support rails 35 and 38. The operator tljlen slides the box alongthe rails 35 and 38 and into the recess formed b etweenI the elements 70 and 71. By Athis procedure, the ends of the box 16 arev caused to move into a position between the lingers 77 of the elements 70 and 71. During this movement, the fingers 77 engage the rearward flaps 17 of the wrapper 15 and tuck these flaps forwardly against the ends of the box. Y

To effect this primary tucking operation, it is necessary that the inner edges of the fingers 77 of the elements 70 and 71 be spaced apart a distance which is substantially equal to the length of the box plus twice the thickness of the wrapper material. Such spacing ofthe fingers 77 is readily effected by merely turning the handwheel 47 and screw 46 so as to adjust the support rails 35 and 38 toward or away from each other. It is to be noted that during the primary tucking operation, onlyrthose fingers 77 which are disposed in alignment with the ends of the box and below theuppersurface thereof are utilized for tucking the rearward aps against the ends of the box, those fingers which are located .above the top of the particular box being inoperative. vByproviding the plurality of vertically spacedingers 77, boxes of different heights ranging from approximately one-half inch to approximately six inches may be operated upon without adjusting the primary tucker elements vertically to com-` pensate for packagesV of various heights.

After the package has been placed between the primary tucker elements and 71 and the rearward flaps `17 of the package have thus been` tucked, the carriage 56 `commences its forward motion. Since the edges 78 of the primary tucker finger plates 76 engage the rearward side of the package, the latter is fed forwardly toward the right-hand or delivery end 81 of the machine.` In this manner, the box 16 and its wrapper 15 are advanced to a secondary tucking means which is indicated generally at 85 in Fig. l.

The secondary tucking means 85 includes a pair of secondary tucker elements 86, each comprising a plurality of vertically spaced bars 87. The bars 87 have longitudinally extending portions 88 and angularly related portions 89which extend laterally Iand forwardly from the rearward ends of the portions 88, the intersections of these portions providing corners 90 which are slightly rounded (Fig. 3). During the forward movement of the box and its wrapper, `the forward flaps 18 of the Wrapper engage the corners 90. of the secondary tucker elements 86 and as the box continues vits forward motion with respect to the stationary corners, the forward flaps are tucked inwardly toward the ends of the box 16. As the package is advanced further, the forward and rearward flaps 18 and 17 are retained in their tucked condition by the forwardly extending portions 88.

The bars 87 of the secondary tucker elements 86 are formed integrally with or are secured to vertical plates 92 each of which extends alongside one of the support` rails 35 and 38, the rails being reduced in width at this location as indicated at 93 in Fig. 3. The outer ends of the portions 89 of the bars 87 are suitably secured to vertical posts 94. At a suitable distance forwardly of the corners 90, the bars 87 are provided with inclined cam edges 95 (Fig. 3). Forwardly of the cam edges 95, the bars curve downwardly toward the delivery end of the machine, the curved portions 95 of the bar-s providing primary folder elements of a primary folding means 96 disposed at each side of the machine. As thebox and its wrapper are fed forwardly to thesecondary tucking'means 85, the upper flap 19 at each end of the box enters a space between adjacent bars 87 and as the forward movement of the box is continued, by means to be later described, the flap engages and moves along the lower surface of the curved portion 95 of the bar which overlies the ap so that the `latter is deflected downwardly to be folded against the previously tucked aps 1 7 and 18. As the `box continues` its forward motion, the three aps 17, 18 and 19 at the ends of the box 16 lare retained in position against the box by the two plates 92tbetweenwhich' thebox` is slid to`the=secondaryffo1ding `means 100, -to be next described. y

The secondary folding -means `10Q-consists of -a pair of `transversely spaced, lplate-like switch elements 101 which are disposedwithin openings =`102cut in-thelower portions -of the -plates \92 :forwardly of the primary v folding means -9t,-the planeof each switch element being in alignmentwiththe -plane ofthe corresponding-plate-92. The'switch elements'101-havepivot-lugs 103 adjacent their -lower edges, the 'lugs l-beingpivotally mounted in bearings carried rbytheplates-92 so as to mount lthe elements forjpivoted movement about -a Vhorizontal axis.

Each switch Ielement V101has'an edge-105 `whichcurves upwardly and-forwardly jfrom its -rearward end.V `The lower edge of each element 1101adjacent its rearward end slopes downwardly `and Iforwardly-to provide a cam edge '106; Adjacent'each cam edge r106, each'support rail '35 and 38is provided with Van opening `107. The switch-elements '-101' are adapted to be pivoted to :either ther-position shown irl-Figs. -l and 4-to 7 or to the position'illustrated in-Fig.-8 bymeans of handles 110 carried bythe studs 103. l`The handles 110are resilient and are thus adapted-tofsnap vinto either oftwonotches 111-and 112 formed in-the-'outer'edges of flanges 113 of the plates-92.

`When `the switch members -101 --are 'pivoted to the position shown inFig. l, ltheir rearward ends are disposed -below'the upper surfaces ofthesupport` rails 35 and 38. Consequently, as the box is -fed `forwardly from the primary foldingmeans-96, the bottom flap 20 at each'endof' the box engages andrides upwardly along the curved :surface i105 of a switch element 101, the

vflap thus being folded upwardly in overlying relation vfolding of-the several flaps 17 to 20, the completely wrapped box`16 isfed forwardly along therails 35 and S8 to the'delivery'endof the machine and during this latter `feeding* movement, the flaps of thewrapper may be `fused'together by heating elements, bonded together by an adhesive applying device orfotherwise joined together by any otherv means, 4notl hereinshown.

As thusfar described, vthemachine s-adapted to tuck and fold the ends ofa wrapper-projecting fromthe ends of an ordinary box.v VAss Wellerecognizedvin theart, Vit is impractical to seal-thefiaps of a wrapperagainst the ends of a boxy inlw-hich the edge portions-of the top and bottom -walls projectlaterally beyond the side and end walls thereof, such'boxes being commonly employed as containers for candy'andother articles. In accordance with the-'presentL invention, -auxiliary folding means are provided fork folding the topand bottom ilaps19l and 20 of a wrapper 15, applied -to such abox, against the bottom-surface of the box to providewhat is usually termed a bottom fold. The auxiliary; folding means 120.consistsV merely of a slot 121 formed ingthegupper surface of each support rail 35 and 38 (Fig. 3). The slots 121;curve forwardly and inwardly from points adjacent the rearward tip ends of the switch elements 101,andprovide curved auxiliary folder edges 122. As

.shown in Fig-3, the edges `122 are formed in part by the rearward curved edges of .triangularly shaped, lateral projections 123 ofv the switch elements 101.

To produce a bottom fold,v the switch elements 101 are pivoted tothe ,position vshown in Fig. 8 so as to raise their rearward tippen'ds into the openings 102 of the plates 92 and thus render their curved edges 105 ineffective. `At the same time, the rearward ends of the lower inclinededges 106 of the switch elements are disposed above, the upper surfaces of the support rails 35 and 38 so that as the' box'is fe'dforwardly from the primary, folding means '96, the bottom flaps 20 -of the :wrapper vends engage'the inclined edges 106 and are thus'deected downwardly into'the` curved slots-121 of the auxiliaryfoldng means120. As'the box is'fed forwardly, the bottom .flaps 20,-A which ynow ,extenddownwardly,engage the curved edges 1 22 andare thus -folded thereby against the bottom of -the box, .as .shown infFig. 1l. If desired, the top flaps 19 of the .wrapper 15.n1ay be made suflciently long so that when they are folded downwardly bythe primary folding'means 9,6, their ends project below the bottom of the box. '1When such a condition prevails, the ends of the top aps 19v also enter the curved slots 121 to.be folded upwardly against,4 the flaps 20 to complete the bottom fold. Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the -opening 1107,.,previously .mentioned, provides clearance for the aps 19 and 20during the folding thereof against the bottom ofthe box.

Figs. 4 Vto 8 illustrate the :sequence of stepsoffthe complete operation of the machine. For the sake of clarity and simplification, .the primary and secondary tuckingmeans and the primary foldingmeans -arerepresented by solidbodies. :That is; to say, theportionsof these means which are disposed belowthe level of nthe top ap 19 of the-boxwrapper lare shown as solid walls, rather vthan composed of a plurality of fingers Vand-bars as in Fig. 1, it being pointed out that all the ngers and bars disposed below. these fingers and bars lwhich actually perform a tucking and folding loperation cooperate in effecting the wrapping of the box so that all the effective fingers and bars may be regarded as unitary structures. Fig. f4 illustrates the manner in whichthe rearwardaps 17 of the wrapper are tucked against the ends of the box 16 lby the primary `tucking means. In Fig. 45the forward flaps 18 are being tucked against the box by the secondary tucker means. Fig. 6 shows how the vtop flaps 19 are folded downwardly by the primaryfoldingmeans and Fig. 7 illustrates the `way in which the bottom flaps 20 are folded upwardly by the secondary folding means. As previously pointed out, Fig.,8 .indicates the manner in which. a bottom fold is produced.

The primary tucking meansl 69 functions as aprimary feeding means to `feed the box to be wrapped torthe secondary tucking. means the forward edges 78 `of'the tucker elements 70 and 71 engaging the rearward side of the box to push thelatter `along the rails 35 and 38 Aduring the forward motion of the carriage 56. Simultaneous with the feeding of a box to the secondary tucking means, a box which has been previously fed to the secondary tucking means is advanced successively to the primary and secondary folding` means and to, the delivery end 81 of the machine by means of a secondary feeding means 130. The vsecondary :feeding means comprises a pair .of feeding arms ,131 and.132, each of which has its upper forked end 133. pivoted on a;pin134 at the upperend of one of the bars '74 projectingfupwardly from the. carriage 56 (Figs. land 2). `Each feeding arm :131 and 4132 normally is. directed `downwardlyby gravity,.the upper portion of each arm engaging ,aninclined stop shoulder to limit its pivotal movement in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1.

-When the carriage 5.6 is.moved forwardly, the primary tucking and feeding means 69feeds a boxfromthe loading end.80 of the machine.y to the secondary 1tucking means. At the same time, the lower. ends of thefeeding arms ISI-and 132 engage the-rearwardside of Va` box previously fed to the-secondary tucking-means so as to feed this box to the primary and secondary folding `means (or to the auxiliary foldingmeans) and to the delivery end 81 of the machine. As-the--motion of-the reciprocating carriage is reversed, the primary tucking means 69 is returned to the loading end 80 of the machine to receive another box to be wrapped, andthe feeding-arms 131 and 132 are moved rearwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1 in readiness to perform another secondaryfeeding operation. vDuring the return movementA of the car- Iriage 56 the arms1131fand'132 ride over the top of the box which h as been fed to the secondary tuckingmeans SS, the arms pivoting forwardlyy on their pins 134-to permit suchmovement. After-the lower' ends-of the larms 131 and 132 clear the 'rearward'sideofthebom they swing downwardly`to`fthe` Aoperative,position Yshown in Fig;` 1. Itis thus seenthat thepr'e'sent' semi-automatic wrapping machine operates upon two: boxes `during each forward Stroke ofthe carriage so that the boxes to be wrapped are fed through the entire machine in response to a relatively short reciprocatory movement of the feeding means. p Y 7 While the improved wrapping machine has been described herein asV embodied ina preferred form of construction, `byway of example, it `will be apparent that various modifications might 'be made in the construction of the machine withoutdepartingtfrom the spirit of the invention; Consequently, I do not'wish to be limited in this respect, but desire to be afforded the full scope of the appendedV claims'.` l,

I claim-as my invention: 'Y 1. In a package' Wrapping machine, the combination of: a frame providing' a longitudinal support upon which a package having a foldable wrapper encircling the packagel `canfbeV placed with the open ends of the wrapper projecting from opposite ends `of the package transversely of said support;-`a pair of'primary tucker means movablelongitudinally along said support and spaced y transversely thereof, said tuckerV means including tucking'ngersL-directed towardeach other with their facing sides.` spaced aparta distance substantially equalto the lengthV of the package to be, wrapped and adapted to tuck the rearward vertical flaps of the wrapper endsinwardly against the ends of the package upon movementl of the package into position between said fingers; feeding means operative to advance said package along V,said support; a pair-of secondary tucker means extending alongside said support and "engageable with the forward vertical flaps ofthe open ends 'of theA wrapper of the forwardly advancing package so as to tuck the same inwardly against the ends ofthe package; apair of transversely spaced primary -folding'rneansV inclu-ding lower folder edgessloping downwardly in the direction of movement of the package and adapted to engage andfold the upper flaps of said open ends of the wrapper downwardly in overlying relation to the tucked forward and rearwardaps, upon relativemovement between-:said primary V'folding means and said package; a 4pair of secondary.transverselyspaced, folding means defining cam edges disposed in advance of said folder edges'- and slopingupwardly in the direction of movement 'of the package, said cam edges being adapted to engage the lower aps of the wrapper ends during advancement thereof, relative movement between-said package and said cam edges effecting upward folding of said'lower flaps in overlying relation to the previously tucked forward and rearward yiia'ps and the previously folded upper flaps of the wrapper vends, said secondary folding means including a pair of plateseach having -a said cam'4 edge,- each plate being movable with respect toskaid support to a iirst position in which theend of its cam edge"`disposerd nearest said primary folding means is .located in the plane o f said bottom ap of said wrapper, and tota second pbsition'in which said end ofits cam edge is disposed'out o f the plane of said -bottom flap; andmeans cooperating with said plates when in said second position for folding4 said lowrnaps to a dineren position-than upwardly'. "i i y f i Y 2. The combination defined Vin claim l in which said pair of plates each having a said cam edge, is each pivotally mounted on said support.

3. The combination defined in claim l in which said secondary folding means pair of plates are vertical, transversely spaced and each has an upper curved edge providing said cam edge and a lower deflector edge sloping downwardly in the direction of feed of the package, each of said plates being adapted to pivot on a horizontal axis with respect to said support to a first position in which the end of its curved cam edge disposed nearest 10 said primary folding means is located in the planeofsaid bottom flap of said wrapper s'o as to fold said-bottom ap upwardly, and in which the end of its deector edgev disposed nearest said primary folding means is located below the plane of said bottom flap, each of said plates being adapted to pivot to a second position in vwhich the end of said cam edge disposed nearest saidrprimary folding means is located above the plane of said bottom flap and the end of said deflector edge disposed nearest said primary folding means is located substantially in the plane of said bottom iiap, in which case said deflector edge is engageable with and operative to deflect said bottom flap downwardly.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 in which said .support has a pair of auxiliary folder means eachA including a transversely spaced, curved slot extending inwardly and in the direction of feed of the package from a point adjacent the juncture of said cam edge'and said deflector edge of one of said plates, said slots being adapted to receive the bottom aps of saidwrapper ends deflected downwardly by said deflector edges and to fold the same inwardly against the bottom of the package during travel of the package across said slots.

5. The combination defined in claim 3 in which said machine has a pair of auxiliary folder means each including a bottom fold edge disposed substantially in the plane of the bottom of the package and extending inwardly and in the direction of feed of the package from a point adjacent the juncture of -said cam edge and said deflector edge of one of said plates, said bottom fold edge being adapted to engage the top and bottom flaps of a said wrapper end deflected downwardly by a said deector edge and to fold the same against the bottom of the package during travel of the package across said bottom fold edge.

` 6. VIn a wrapping machine for a package having a fold able Wrapper encircling the package with the open ends; of the wrapper projecting from opposite ends of the pack-'- age,the combination of primary tucker means for tucking the rear vertical flaps of the wrapper ends inwardlyl against the ends of the package; secondary tuckermeans for tucking the forward vertical flaps of the open ends of the Wrapper inwardly against the ends of the package; primary folding means for engaging and folding the upper flaps of the open ends of the wrapper downwardly and in overlying relation to the tucked forward and rear-` Ward end aps; secondary folding means for engaging and folding the lower flaps of the open ends of the wrapper upwardly and in overlying relation to the folded uppertflaps; alternative secondary folding means for engaging and folding the lower aps of the open ends of the wrapper downwardly and` beneath the package and simultaneously engaging and folding underneath the package that portion of the downwardly folded upper aps which extend below the package; and a pair of switching plates having curved upper edges and disposed in positions corresponding to the opposite ends of said' package and each movable to different positions, in one of which the upper edges of said plates form at least a portionrof said secondary folding means and in another of which said lower flap is guided into engagement with said lalternative secondary folding means. a

v ].In a wrapping machine for a package having a fold- Y able A.wrapper encircling the package with the open ends of the wrapper projecting from the opposite ends of the package, said machine including means for tucking the vertical flaps of said wrapper ends inwardly toward said package, means for folding the upper flaps of said wrapper downwardly toward said package, means for folding the lower aps of said wrapper upwardly toward the package or downwardly underneath said package and means for effecting a relative movement between said package and said tucking and folding means, the improvement which comprises a plurality of parallel bars at each side of the relative path of movement, extending opposite to the ,direction of relative movement, and ,spaced yapart in a direction .perpendicular thereto, for tucking the forward iiaps of ,said wrapper ends inwardly toward said package; and means defining a plurality of cam edges extending in a direction to fold the upper flaps of said wrapper ends against said package, said bars guiding said upper aps to said cam edges.

8.1m a wrapping machine, the improvement defined in claim 7, including a plate disposed at each side of the pathof relative movement and provided with a plurality ofslots defining said cam edges, saidplates being parallel and adjacent said bars and said slots having widths equivalent to the spaces between said bars.

9. In a .wrapping machine for a package having a foldable wrapper encircling the package with the open ends oflthe wrapper projecting from the opposite ends of the package, said machine including means for tuckingl the vertical flaps of said wrapper ends inwardly toward said package, means for folding the upper flaps of said wrapper downwardly toward said package, means for `folding the lower flaps of said wrapper upwardly toward the package or downwardly underneath said package, and means for `effecting a relative movement between said package and said tucking and folding means, the improvement which comprises a plurality of parallel lingers in sets at each side of the path of relative movement, extending inthe direction of relative movement, and spaced apart ina direction perpendicular thereto, for tucking the rear vertical flaps ofsaid wrapper ends inwardly against said package; a plurality of parallel bars in sets at each side of the path of relative movement, extending in a direction opposite to the direction of relative movement, and.spaced apart in a direction perpendicular thereto and substantially the same distances as said lingers, for tucking the forward vertical flaps of said wrapper ends inwardly against said package; and means for moving said fingers in unison toward and away from said bars, between a first positionin which said linger sets are spaced from said barsets and a second position in which at least a portion of said lingers are alongside said bars, at least a portion of saidiingers being relatively narrow and said-,finger sets being spaced apart a distance equivaient to theilength of sadpaCkage, and the portions of saidbars of said sets alongside said fingers in s'aid second position being spaced apart a distance to permit said fingers to move alongside the same, said bars of each set then converging toward the opposite set until the distance between. the bars of said sets approximates the length of said package.

Vl0. `In a wrapping machine for a package having a I foldable wrapper encircling the package with the open ends of thewrapper projecting from the opposite ends of the package, said ,machine including means for ltucking the vertical Vflaps of said wrapper ends inwardly toward said package, means for folding the upper flaps of said wrapper downwardly toward said packageVmeans vfor folding the lower aps of said ,wrapper upwardly toward. the package. or downwardly underneath said package, :and means for elfecting a relative movement between said package and said tu'cking and folding means, the improvementwhich comprises a pair of parallel, spaced rails adjustable toward and-away from each other and extending in the direction of relative movement, said tucking rneans being mounted on said rails said means for folding lSaid upper llapsalisina `iaoillltl l911 said rails tor- Wardly of Said -tllklns ,saidmils beiagwider at the gsifiaas at whihqsaisl insandnpper Hap fglding means' are mounted, vsaid vrrlails then being lnarrower with the outer 'edgesof s aid rails .being spaced apart a distance equivalent totl 1 e length of said packagegandmeansco- Operating With said Outer ,edges for folding said lower liaps underneath said package. i

11. In a package wrapping machine, lthe combination of: a Vframe providing a longitudinal support upon which a package having a Vf v ldab le wrapper encircling the package can Jbe placed .with the .open ends of the wrapper projecting from the opposite ends of the package transv ersely of `said support; a pair ofprimary tucker means movable longitudinally .along said. support andy spaced transversely thereof, said tucker means including a slide element and a plurality of tuck/ing iingerscarried by said slide and disposedIlr-vertically spaced relationship at opposite sides of said slide, Lsaid tucking fingers at .said opposite sidespbeing directed toward each other withtheir facing sides spaced apartadistance substantially equal to the length of the package to be wrapped and adapted to tnck the rearwardvertical aps of thetwrappertends inwardly against the ends ofthepackage upon movement ofthe packagerinto positionbetween said lingers; a pair of secondarytucker means including a pluralityof vertically spaced barsextendingalongside said .Supportvand engageable with the forward vertical iiaps vof the open Yends ofthe wrapper of theforwardly advancing package so as to,tuck the same inwardly ,against the ends ofthe package; a pair of normally stationary, spaced, primary, folding means including lower folder edges 4,formed by a pluralityof vertically, spaced .bar s generally .coextensive with said bars of said secondary tuckerlmeans ,andV sloping downwardly in the direction of movement of the package and adapted to engage rand fold theupper napsof said open .ends of the wrapper downwardly vin oyerlying .relation to the tucked forward andfrearward iiaps, upon relative movementbetween said primaryffolding means and said package; a pair of normally stationary, secondary, transversely spaced, folding means defining cam edges disposed in advance of said folderedges,andrslopingnpwardly in the direction of movement of the package, said cam edges being adapted to .engage the lower flaps of the wrapper ends during advancementthereof, relative movement between said package and said camedges effecting upward folding of said lower aps in overlying relation to thepreviously tucked forward and rearward flaps and the previously folded upper aps Vof, the wrapper ends; said primary tucker means providing a primary feeding means forv moving the package a portion of Vthellength of .said support; and a secondary feeding means engageable with the rearward side of apreviously advanced'packageandv operative to advance the package throughout the remainder of its necessary travel through 'the machine.

, ,'Rsferenes Cltfly inthe, tile 0f this Patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

